Hara

In Japan, ‘Hara’ refers to the lower back and abdomen. The Japanese consider that the vital spirit of the human body resides in the ‘Hara’, more specifically at a point just below the navel, known as the ‘Tan-Den’.

‘Hara’ describes the quality of a person’s energy – one may have a ‘good hara’ or a ‘bad hara’. All movements and power in Japanese martial arts originate from the Hara.

One who has ‘Hara’ does not consume himself or spend himself completely. One who controls the hara is not likely to loose his balance or composure. He learns to anchor himself, and release himself from ego so that he can accomplish his work naturally without effort.